Tuesday, January 12, 2016

To the Victor Go the Spoils: Jordan Spieth Dethrones Tiger Woods as Top Earner in Golf

Jordan Spieth isn't merely in the zone these days. He is the zone. Spieth earned more than $53 million in 2015, supplanting Tiger Woods as golf's highest earner.

Spieth ranked 16th in total earnings in 2014. But thanks to a career-high five wins on Tour last season, including victories at The Masters and U.S. Open, Spieth raked in more than $23 million on the course. Other endorsement deals, including a a 10-year deal with Under Armour, brought in another $30 million.

Woods tumbled to third on the list with $48 million in earnings, not too shabby for someone bogged down by injury and substandard play all year. But it marks the first time since 2004 that Woods isn't golf's money king.

Phil Mickelson was the second highest earner on the list with $52 million, Rory McIlroy fourth with $46 million, and money machine Arnold Palmer rounded out the top-five with $40 million.

Woods remains the highest single year earner with $129 million in 2009 (the last year before scandal and injuries took hold).

But with Spieth's popularity growing globally, and his game constantly improving, this just serves as another example of golf clearly undergoing a changing of the guard.

And no matter how you look at it, $53 million is a pretty good haul for a 22-year old.